Washing machine



June 18, 1929'. w.'w. MCEWAN 1,717,724-

WASHING MACHINE Filed June 13, 1925 A TTORXEY.

Patented June 18, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATIENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM WATT MOEWAN, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO THE J. B. FORD COMPANY, OF WYANDOTTE, MICHIGAN.

WASHING MACHINE.

Application filed June 13, 1925. Serial No. 36,249.

My invention relates to improvements in washing machines and 1s here 1llustrated 1n connection with a dish washing machine though obviously it might be employed in' machines .for washing articles other than dishes.

Atthe present time in washing machine practice washing powder is deposited in the vat of the washing machine from time to time by the operator as he believes it is needed. The supply is irregular and the washing solution'in the vat varies from one period to another and is not kept at a constant or uniform strength throughout the washing operation. The powder sinks to the bottom of the vat or comes directly in contact with I the dishes. At one period the supply is in excess of that necessary for the washing operation while at another time it is insufficient. The powder is not properly dissolved in the vat and it is not practicable to provide means in the vat to perform'such function.

I provide a washing machine having a vat in which the dishes are washed with an independent solution tank within which the washing powder is first completely dissolved by improved mechanism and from which tank it is withdrawn into the washing machine vat as it is needed and the solution within the vat is maintained at a substantially constant and uniform strength throughout the entire washing operation.

In the beginning of a washing operation it is preferable to deposit 'within the solution tank a sufiicient quantity of washing powder to'complete the operation intended and due to the employment of my improved mechanism this washing powder is completely dissolved and the concentrated solution is permitted to flow as required from the solution tank into the vat of the washing machine where the washing operation occurs. The wash water in the vat is thereby maintained at a substantially uniform strength and at that strength which has been found most suitable for the washing purpose without using washing powder in excess of the amount required.

The above objects and others, together with details of construction of the embodiment of my invention illustrated in the drawing will more fully appear from the following description, claims and accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machine fitted with my improvement.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 22, Fig. .1.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 33, Fig. 2.

I have illustrated my improvement in association with a dish washing machine and in Fig. 1 the dish washing machine proper is indicated as 10. This machine is provided with a washing vat 12 within which the washing solution is carried and the washing occurs. The detailed structure of the dish washing machine proper forms no part of my invention and is, therefore, not described.

I provide an independent solution tank 14 of a size suitable to feed the vat of the particular washing machine in connection with which it is to be employed. This solution tank communicates with the vat of the dish washing machine shown in the drawing by means of a conduit 16, the flow of liquid through which is controlled b a valve 18. Water is supplied to the solution tank 14 .through a water ipe 20 which leads from a suitable source 0 water supply, preferably hot water, and which in turn is fitted with a control valve 22. The solution tank has a cover 24 which may be raised to deposit washing powder into the tank. At one side of the solution. tank is a water glass 26 to indicate the amount of water carried within the tank.

As the solution tank carries a concentrated washing solution which is admitted from time to time into thevat of the washing machine during the washing operation, it is necessary that the solution within the tank 14 be maintained at a substantially uniform strength throughout the entire washing operation, and furthermore, it is desirable that all the washing powder placed within the tank be completely dissolved in order that full value may be obtained therefrom without the use of an excess amount. I provide a pipe 28 leading from a suitable source of steam supply and controlled by valve 30, which pipe terminates within the solution tank in an extension 32 positioned in the bottom of the tank and perforated to project a plurality of steam jets through the contents of the tank and agitate the solution, heat the water, and completely dissolve the soap powder and maintain the entire solution at a substantially uniform strength.

At the beginning of the washing operation a sufiicient amount of washing powder is placed within the solution tank to take care of the intended operation of washing and the tank filled with water through the pipe 20. Steam is now admitted through the steam pipe 28 through; control exercised thereover by the valve 30. This steam pipe extends downwardly through the soltution to a T- shaped extension disposed at the bottom of the tank provided with a multiplicity of perforations which project jets of steam throughout the contents of the tank, agitating the solution, dissolving the powder and maintainin the strength of the concentrated solution su stantially uniform. This concentrated solution is now drawn ofl through the discharge outlet 16 and admitted to the washing vat 12. It may be drawn 01f from time to time as needed or the valve 18 may be set to allow the concentrated solution to trickle into the washing vat without any further attention on-the part of the operator. The concentrated solution is freely miscible with the water in the vat and serves to keep the same at the required constant strength.

What I claim is: v

1. A solution tank for a washin machine having a controlled water inlet lea 'ng from 2. A pre-soap solution tank for dish wash-.

ing machines adapted to be supported in close proximity to the dish washing vat and having a controllable pipe connection extending from the bottom of the tank to feed soap solution to' the vat, said tank having a controlled water inlet leading from a suitable source of supply and a separate controlled steam inlet leading from a suitable source of steam supply into the upper end of the tank and extending downwardly therethrough in close proximity to one of the side walls thereof and having a perforated T-shaped extension disposed substantially parallel with said side wall of the tank and disposed to project steam jets upwardly through the contents of the tank, said steam jets agitating the supply of soap and water therein and heating the same to thereby completely dissolve the soap powder and maintain the entire solution at a substantially uniform strength.

In testimony whereof, I sign this specification.

WILLIAM WATT McEWAN. 

